Device for conveying flat objects with a synchronization system
US6729617B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/1311
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A device for conveying flat objects in series and edge-on, in which the flat objects (12) are moved in a conveying direction (D), while at the same time being separated each from the next by a spacing which is normally constant, has a synchronization system (2) capable of compensating for any variations in spacing between two consecutive objects. The system includes two parallel rows (3, 4) of driven wheels (3A-4C) made of elastically deformable elastomer and between which each object is gripped and moved in the conveying direction. Each wheel has a rotation spindle (6), the position of which is fixed, and the wheels are rotated by a motorization system which is controlled to accelerate and/or retard the movement of each object between the two rows of wheels on the basis of a detection whether the front edge of the object has been early or late in passing a determined position upstream of the two rows of wheels compared with a time reference indicating the spacing between objects. The device may be used in a postal sorting machine operating in a synchronous mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.